My Story: I Have A Master And My Daughter Is A Graduate, We Beg At Traffic Signals To Survive

My name is S*****, and that is my daughter M***** on the right. No, we don’t feel comfortable about disclosing our identity online as yet, but we promise to do so the next time. I am a master’s graduate in English literature, and my daughter is a rank holder in B.Com. We both have won many certificates for our volleyball, dance and other performances; so yes, we are multi-talented folks.

You will find us near the Vijayanagar traffic signals (Bengaluru) begging, to hang by the string for a living, to make sure we get enough bread and rice to survive on some satisfactory scale. There was no connection between our potential and the reality as I mentioned above, right?

Well, that’s because we are transgender people.

The life of discrimination, disgust, isolation and insensitive exclusion is nothing compared to what you see from the outside. Believe me, it’s nothing. For years, our family has been waiting for a way out, but every opportunity just dissolves, courtesy of our status. But, recently, when my daughter went towards a young man to ask him for 10 bucks, he refused to take out the wallet.

Instead, he handed over a book. He took us to the middle of the footpath to make sure everyone watched, and that there was nothing to be scared or ashamed of. He made us go through one of the stories in the book which deals with the inspiring comeback of five transgender students to show the world that every member of LGBT community has a voice loud enough to make their name heard in the society on equal terms as others.

I was moved, shocked and speechless. After 29 years of being hammered right in the heart with no sort of support or understanding, he was the first non-transgender person to have initiated a handshake and put a smile on my face. ‘Theory of inner voices’, I thank him for gifting us this book.

I told him clearly that we do not want reservations, or loads of money, or even a great house only for us to live in without coming out. All I want is respect, a platform filled with equal rights, availability and accessibility. I want to work in an office sitting next to a man/woman who does not treat me inhumanly, and I really want to drift away from an exclusive society this country is heading towards. He told me not just him, but the current budding generation of his is set to go all guns blazing and make a difference. We will crawl our way into social networking websites with his help, and we hope to get connected to as many people as possible.

There is a very unique & interesting scheme/idea which will come into effect some time later, but all I want to say for now is thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you to you dear youth of this country. Yes, I started to have a small sense of belief from today onwards, and I know for a fact that it will keep increasing as the weeks pass by. I want to be the character ‘Aadil’ from the book too, and I know it’s possible because he taught me to believe day in and out.

A handshake and a book I will never forget, I am overwhelmed and grateful dear Varun.

Here is what our community is most proud of – *clap* *clap * *clap*. We will build our revolution starting with that.”

Transgender people have always been looked down upon in our country. The society still considers them as misfits and aliens and thus they aren’t given an opportunity to study, pursue their careers, or have a family. Left with no other choices, they resort to begging on the streets. Even then, people try to avoid them. The society fails to understand their plight and the endless struggles they go through to secure their position and let their voices be heard. We all must embrace and allow them to progress, giving them equal justice, rights and opportunities. Let us all be like Varun and bring a positive revolution in our country.

For The First Time – A Residential School For Transgender People In Kerala

Kerala Government Announces Pension Policy For Transgenders In Budget 2016-17

Partner Story

There Is Nothing That Women Cannot Do, This Women’s Day Spread The Message Of Equality

Little did the thousands of women who stepped out on the streets of the then Russian Empire know, that their protest would become the theme for women’s rights across the world, for eternity.

It was March 8, 1917, when women textile workers in Petrograd (capital of the Russian Empire) marched for their right to vote. Since then, the day is commemorated to celebrate women worldwide.

Russia’s February Revolution Was Led by Women on the March.Independent

A century later, have we progressed?

Yes, we’ve come a long way since the first women’s rights movements, but a long road still lies ahead.

Even in 2018, women do not enjoy equal status to men in all spheres. We still hear phrases like ‘don’t run like a girl’, ‘don’t throw like a girl’ or ‘don’t dress like a girl’. The ones making the statements remain ignorant to the fact that running like a girl is the same as ‘running like a boy’ – with all your might; throwing like a girl is the same as ‘throwing like a boy’ – with all your power; and dressing like a girl is the same as ‘dressing like a boy’ – in whatever makes you comfortable.

Women have time and again proved that they can do ANYTHING, and this video by ParleG aims to showcase just this. It is time we realised that women are capable of achieving great heights because #ZiddiChhoriya never give up.

Despite the hushed talks, the demotivation and the doubts, women have worked hard to become athletes, scientists, singers, poets, writers, chefs, army persons, and what not. In fields where they were not recognised before, women are making strides. Their determination and will power are making those who questioned them, question themselves.

What is it that women cannot do? From trekking Mount Everest to making beautiful paintings? As the video correctly portrays, #ZiddiChhoriya are representing India at international stages, playing drums, leading teams, and motivating others to do the same.

It is because of these women who show immense perseverance that other women are inspired to chase their dreams.

This Women’s Day, let us salute the power of women. Let us spread awareness about equality, and lead by example.